Oprah's Ratings Slip While Magazine Circulation Falls

New York Times:

Oprah Winfrey is still the queen of all media, but her crown is beginning to look a bit tarnished.

The average audience for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" has fallen nearly 7 percent this year, according to Nielsen Media Research -- its third straight year of decline. "Oprah's Big Give," an ABC philanthropic reality show, beat every program on television except "American Idol" in its premiere week this winter, but steadily lost nearly one-third of its audience during the rest of its eight-week run, according to Nielsen.

The circulation of O, The Oprah Magazine, has fallen by more than 10 percent in the last three years, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, and the magazine is now seeking a new editor in chief after the announced retirement of its longtime steward, Amy Gross.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[politicgirl999]

Oprah WHO???????????????????????????? Good riddance

[ladydragon]

politicgirl999

I agree with you, I just think folks are sick to death of Oprah. I stopped watching or even paying attention to anything she says or does about 10 or 12 years ago. When she endorsed Obama, I didn't pay attention to that either her political opinion is not of interest to me. Black women are not her "target" audience at any economic level. I wish she and that dumb-ass Whoopie would go away...Whoopie hasn't been relevant for about 15 years, ever since that Ted Danson "blackface" incident

[Waitaminute]

Speak for yourselves. i know of two people who have benefited from money Oprah donated. One is my neice (black woman) got that, from Mississippi who's presently in medical school. She told me about another gentleman (black guy) got that, attending a college in Atlanta Georgia whose also benefiting from Oprah.

I don't know of one black college that Oprah has not donated to. I am sure you know that these black colleges have black men and women. You know, all "economical levels" Oprah donate to colleges with majority white students. Mostly medical. DID YOU KNOW THAT? I guess you didn't.

By the way, did you have a problem with white celebrities endorsing white candidates? I bet you didn't. Name one. There are a lot of them. Like the old folk say. If you don't know what you are talking about, be quiet.

[InedaName]

Couldn't it be that American housewives have finally woken up and realized that they simply can't afford and really don't need what Oprah is shilling?

[northcoast]

I wrote Oprah a while back...told her that having her picture appear on the front of her mag every frikkin month was just a tad too much.

[Nolewoman]

I have often wondered what size ego does it take to put your own face on the cover of a magazine, each and every month. It is unbelievable!!

[swift goat pet for truth]

So, who's this Operah person?

[LAcarlito]

I think Oprah is rich enough (10x over) to make the first political endorsement in her life and do it with gusto and let the chips fall where they may. Oprah can disappear from the entertainment stage and still be set for life (10x over), so where is the problem?

Like the Clinton or Bush crowd, she is expected to make an endorsement (or not) because of how it advances her economic interest in the short-run? I don't think that is how people in Oprah's position tend to think. I would expect a petty mindset (concerning Oprah's endorsement of Obama) out of most people as that is how most people approach problems and opportunities in life.

[starrianna]

"Let the chips fall where they may..."

The ONLY places that Oprah's chips fall are:

(1) in the many folds of her fatty sweatsuits
(2) in the cracks of her $85,394 couch after eating Lay's potato chips
(3) all over Gayle's new outfits, since that Gayle King is all over her 24/7.

[LAcarlito]

Why are you pissed at Oprah? It is McCain who decided to sleep with big money to try to buy his way to the White House. Mr Straight Talk Express found out that you can't talk if you don't have the money to outlast your opponents.

[starrianna]

Earth to Oprah: Shut Up.

Go back to your $50 million house,
or your other $50 million house,
or your other $50 million house.

And stop telling us all what we're supposed to believe in.

[Waitaminute]

Waita minute to starrianna, i'll go to any of those $50 million houses. You act as if something is wrong with $50 million dollar homes (investments). Man you are weird.

[ritz]

Time to RENEW my subscription!! She supported him because she believes in his ability to be a good president, not because she wants to tell us what to do.

I don't think that's the reason her ratings have slipped, but I will renew (I haven't had a subscription to the magazine for nearly 10 years). I donated to NARAL too. Can't forget the friends of our friends.

And, an aside. I am sick to death of Hillary bashing. Ask yourself before you post "What would Obama say." I doubt he'd say half the stuff we say. It's getting to be embarrassing.

[sandiaview]

Don't we all wish we had Oprah's problems? Turning folks into millionaires and icons at a drop of a hat, enriching millions of lives daily. Yes, we should all be so problem-plagued.

[starrianna]

I hear that when Oprah farts, it comes out as Jean Nate'.

I hear that when Oprah cries, it causes storms in Africa that heal the sick.

I hear that when Oprah gets off her couch, it causes earthquakes in China.

[CrabbyGolightly]

Okay, you are cracking me up.

[Waitaminute]

You are not funny. I mean it! Are these suppose to be jokes. I am sorry, if you are a minor, i take everything i said about you back. Get someone to write you jokes on a higher level then a third grader. I mean it, these supposed jokes of yours are irritating.

[ObamaEdwards]

"Her endorsement of the presidential bid of Senator Barack Obama appears to have alienated some of the middle-aged white women who make up the bulk of her television audience." This is an OUTRAGEOUS thing for the NYT to print without any legitimate facts or figures to back it up. They are stating an opinion based on pure speculation. All TV shows are experiencing a drop in viewer interest. To link some angry posts from Oprah's Web site to the (continuing over three years, long before this campaign) decline in viewers is irresponsible and does not deserve to be called journalism. NYT: You need a smack upside of the head.

[starrianna]

Yes, totally outrageous to print stories based entirely on FACTS.

You should go out and get a job with the Bush White House!

I hear they're hiring new minions.

[GrainOSand]

The situation concerning ratings and circulation are to be expected in light of her advocacy for Senator Barack Obama. Oprah is in a position though where she should feel comfortable and serene no matter the defection of the zealot based on zealotry -- if she was good enough to watch before she should be good enough now -- zealot. If she is one who can achieve satisfaction then no ratings slip or magazine circulation drop should shake her. She has enough money to fund several generations of new life and she already has with the school in South Africa. She has done a lifetime of good already and everything else should be gravy. Therefore, for Oprah and more so for truth, let me say in the face of that, screw you who are shaky, trifling, and corrupt!

[hank48188]

Oprah has that school in South Africa, someone asked Oprah why she didn't start a school like that here in America. Oprah responded that the kids here would just want a new pair of sneakers and wouldn't be appreciative of a school. The reason the kids are like that is because of people like Oprah, Oprah is the countries biggest booster of consumerism, just watch her do her Oprah's Stuff shows, the people go crazy for free consumer goods. Take those kids in South Africa and put them in front of a TV when they are 2 and let the brainwashing begin, in a few years all they will want is new sneakers too.

[GrainOSand]

Hank:

I agree that consumerism is a major problem in the American society but I do not see Oprah as the root cause but merely someone who recognizes the issue and who on some level contributes to the idea to the degree she promotes things over real life issues. I have never watched her much (not my thing) but when I have, she seems to suggest someone who at least considers humanity beyond the measure of dollars and cents. I have yet to meet a human who does not fall short of the high standard I call for and the worst of these is I. Yet I can find light in darkness, hope in the hopeless, and reason in the insane. If I could not, I would be in darkness with no hope and going, if not already -- insane.

I tell you Hank, people really need to go inside their own house and check out the arrangements there before they attempt to clean someone else’s. In that house lives individual potential -- divinely given -- incalculable by the flawed and blind -- which are we the people; yet it is we the people who possess the potential to love and hate, to grow or destroy. Oprah has no bearing on this. As for American children, until America makes them (all of them) a priority why should a single American, especially if she has tried and failed and has found the problem to be tragically systemic?

[toocoldout]

Ooooh wow. She does one show a year giving out free stuff. I'm sure the entire consumer industry would vanish without her. She's also the biggest promoter of reading, and her latest book club pick A NEW EARTH argues against materialism.

[MyThought]

That's the problem - everyone acts like Oprah is some big deal - she JUST an "talk show host" who made billions. That's it - a talk show host.

I get turned of by celebrities thinking their view is so important and that everyone else should be guided as to who the next president should be.

Go ahead and endorse by donation - that's enough. Get your celebrity heads out of the clouds thinking that your views are much more important that the average voter - it isn't.

[Waitaminute]

She made over a billion dollars man. She is important. You can't make that much green and not be important. I happen to love Oprah. .......I happen to agree with her, as most of her true fans do. I don't see that you have said anything interesting. I know Oprah wouldn't agree with how i talk to people. She's so nice and a wonderful human being. But i am not. Personally i hate people who hate good people like Oprah.

[learnsomething]

Oprah is a billionaire, she does not need to make more money. She can buy and sell all of you a billion times over.

[BetterAmerica]

I am a Clinton supporter and a former Oprah watcher. I was really irritated when she came out and endorsed Obama. One of the things I liked about her over the years was that she stayed out of politics. She's an entertainer. She's awfully narcissistic to think that she should choose the next POTUS.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

I'm a Clinton supporter, too. I quit tivoing her show when she did her little foray into politics. I am sure she alienated a whole lot of viewers.

[JavaCityGal]

Although she may have lost and also gained some viewers by her endorsement, this has nothing to do with her ratings drop. I've never been an Oprah watcher, but any show that doesn't keep their content refresh and updated will suffer a ratings drop.

[toocoldout]

But as a Clinton supporter you should appreciate all the shows she does with Dr. Oz, since it was Dr. Oz who saved Clinton's life in heart surgery.

[Cyndee1113]

I straight up hate some of Hillary supporters. I cannot believe that you people actually think you are entitled to being the only ones on this earth just like Hillary. You people do not own this world and I hope God lets you see that you are wrong before you pass away from this earth. You are a bunch of hipocrites and morons.

[toocoldout]

But in fairness, at least she didn't use her show to push Obama. She hasn't had either Obama on since the fall of 2006, had Bill on as recently as the fall of 2007 & she's repeatedly expressed her great admiration for Hillary. You can't fault her for exercising her right as a U.S. citizen to privately support a candidate, and surely you must appreciate how inspiring a brilliant ultra-progressive African American like Obama is to a black like Oprah, who has been devestated by the grim statistics facing black men. If it's okay for someone as influential as a former president to interject himself in politics, and just to get his own wife elected, then certainly the first serious African American candidate has a right to some star power too.

[learnsomething]

I bet Oprah doesn't admire Hellary now. Not after Hellary asassination outburst.

[C65]

She is no more NARCISSISTIC than you are.You Clinton supporters are as dumb as
your candidate is and as the day is long.
1)Oprah is a United States Citizen,just as you are and entitle to vote.
2)She has FREEDOM of SPEECH,as you have and is allowed to express her choices
as you have.
3)What you like and what you think is a God given right,but to tell someone else to do what
you like is not your choice to make.
Finally,If you think by not watching,she will go broke,you are as ignorant as you sound.
TO LITTLE,TO LATE,OPRAH CAN LIVE THE GOOD LIFE THE REST OF HER LIFE WITHOUT
YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE WATCHING,WHAT ABOUT YOU, STUPID?

[Cyndee1113]

BetterAmerica,

You white people were dissing Oprah when she was giving all of you cars and gifts and showing sending you on vacations. You arses were in her corner. God forbid that she endorses a bi-racial person that looks black and she is means nothing to you anymore. You idiots!!

[NoSillyName]

Please don't lump all "white people" together, ok? If you're of a different race or ethnicity, I doubt that you like it when you are stereotyped.

[suuzie]

Oprah introduced Obama to a lot of people who was not aware of him--she did not ask people to vote for him--she merely introduced him.

Why are people hating on her as if she is not allowed to have a choice in this election.

No ones hating Barbara Striesand or the many celebrities who endorsed Hillary. Please tell me why are some women being mean to Oprah?

[MariaHopeful]

Isn't it a bit suspicious that this is a story? Someone seem to want to punish Obama or Oprah or both, eh? I don't think politics has anything at all to do with the ratings drop. I am the biggest Obama supporter but I am not going to watch these talk shows whose only purpose seem to be to make the rich richer and the successful even more successful. Oprah's shows seems to be only geared toward pitching the latest project from the rich and famous and because she is even a bigger "star" than the vast majority of them, and they are all about kissing up to her it is becoming a bit sick. A couple seasons back when she had really hard-hitting shows dealing with real life issues of real life people here and abroad, I found those uplifting and I couldn't get enough. Now it seems that those kind of shows are rare treats and the celebrity gushing and pushing is what her show is really about. That little lovefest with Barbara Walters really turned me off. Especially after I have seen Oprah beat up on her guests for what she deemed immoral behavior and here she was hi-fiving her and Barbara's adulterous behavior.

[Zentomato]

I had been a loyal fan of Oprah for years but lately she comes across as smug and carries an attitude of "I know better than you do." Also her shilling for books and DVD's like The Secret is a turn off and her program now seems to just be nothing more than an hour long commercial for movies, books, etc. I am Oprahed out .

[Larjmarj]

I agree, her ego is out of control and that's what makes her less appealing. As for her magazine what irks me is that SHE is always on the cover. Ugh.

[hank48188]

Oprah is the biggest booster of Consumerism in the Country, her show is all about the promotion of MORE STUFF.